Leap Day, 2012

It's February 29th, a date that, as we all know, comes around only once every four years. So, it seems like a terrific blog topic to look back at historical events that happened on this date. History has always fascinated me. I was drawn into the historical romance genre as a reader, and as a writer, was the first genre I wrote. Here we go!


This Day, February 29th, In History

46 b.c. - Julius Caesar declares the first leap day. Wow! It's been around for many thousands of years. How cool is that?

1288 - Scotland established this day as one when a woman could propose marriage to a man. In the event that he refused the proposal he was required to pay a fine. 

1692 - Three women (Sarah Goode, Sarah Osbourne and Tituba) were the first women accused of witchcraft in Salem.

1784 - The Methodist church is formally established.

1849 - The California lands in San Fransisco, bringing the first of the gold rusher miners from the East Coast.

1860 - The first electric tabulating machine was invented by Herman Hollerith.


1940 - Hattie McDaniel wins a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Mamie in Gone With the Wind - historic because she was the first black person to win an Oscar.

1952 - In New York City, four signs were installed at 44th Street and Broadway in Times Square that told pedestrians when to walk. 

1960 - Hugh Hefner opens, in Chicago, the first Playboy Club.

1983 - The most watched television show in the history of TV airs: the final episode of MASH.

2004 - Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King wins 11 Oscars.


Happy Birthday To You

Ann Lee (Anne the Word or Mother Anne) 1736 - Founder of Shakerism in United States 

Gioacchino Rossini 1792 - Opera composer ("The Barber of Seville") 

Sir James Wilson 1813 - Premier of Tasmania

John Philip Holland 1840 - Inventor of the first submarine accepted by the U.S. Navy 


Jimmy Dorsey 1904 - bandleader


Dinah Shore 1916 - Singer, entertainer ("The Dinah Shore Show")


Jack Lousma 1936 - Astronaut 

Henri Richard 1936 - Hockey player known as "The Pocket Rocket", he played on 11 Stanley Cup champion teams

Alex Rocco 1936 - Actor ("The Godfather", "Herbie Goes Bananas") 

Gretchen Christopher 1940 - Singer (Fleetwoods) 

Joe Giglio 1940 - Singer (The Four Aces)

Dennis Farina 1944 - Actor ("Law & Order", "Striking Distance") 

Steve Mingori 1944 - Baseball player 

John Niland 1944 - Football player 

Antonio Sabato, Jr. 1972 - Actor 


Rest in Peace

Johann Andreas Stein (1792) - German piano builder

Sir James Wilson (1880) - Premier of Tasmania

Pat Garrett (1908) - American Gunslinger

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Happy Leap Day 2012! 

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